Monday, March 20, 2017

In my position at VRPS Central Office, I love watching the evolution of service areas and resource groups from year-to-year, and in particular, their stellar efforts at growth. It seems that in July, when we're putting together resource group and service area ballots for the following year (yes, it starts in July), that we were just starting to get a groove going with the current year boards.

However, I am seeing greater transition between the two teams - the current and oncoming ones. There is less "starting over" and more "picking up where we left off".

For example, Senior Resource Group is holding call-in meetings, formulating a theme-driven effort for the year, and blogging. Aquatics Resource Group is hosting GoTo meetings, employing creative methods to expand their reach, and qualifying themselves to be a go-to resource in Virginia for aquatics training. And, several of the event committees are charting new territory as well, into the world of webinars and Google docs and apps and WebEx.

Recently, under the guidance of Chair Heather Grubb (Special Events Coordinator, Henrico County Recreation and Parks), the Central Service Area has initiated its own blog.

So, in a sense, this is a blog about a blog. Central Service Area is employing some newer "talent" (i.e. what some of us would consider professionals on the more youthful side) to reach a wider audience and highlight their objectives.

Monday, March 13, 2017

“There are short cuts to happiness and dancing is one
of them” – Vicki Baum.

It’s time to start talking about dancing. Why? Well so many of us work with participants
who are crazy about dancing. Most of all, because it’s fun and being
ambassadors of fun is one of the many hats we wear. If you’re looking to add extra pizazz to your
programming, consider more dance.

According to a Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute
Letter, dance is one of those activities that exercises both the brain and body. Learning new steps or patterns activates the
neurons and moving to music moves your body.
There are also the benefits that are gained from listening to music when exercising.

For those of you who love the science of things,
dancing improves motor function, memory, spatial recognition and increases
endorphin levels. Dance is also utilized
as a way to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s
disease. On the social and big picture
side, a whole group of people moving to music, smiling and having a great time
is always a wonderful sight to see.

Scheduling any type of partner dance program always
brings with it the challenge of one gender outnumbering the other. That’s why line
dancing is a perfect choice.
No partner necessary! The music
that accompanies a line dance can be as varied as the choreography. Country western, Motown or popular dance music are all good
choices. The complexity of the dance can
also vary according to the level of the people doing the dances. The most important thing is that everyone can
dance.

Of course, there are some sticky details to
consider. I have on one occasion or two
blindly set up a line dance event only to be flummoxed by the different
definitions of dance levels. To me a
beginner dance is for someone who barely knows their right foot from their
left. That’s not quite right
apparently. There are several levels:
beginner, beginner-beginner, just
getting started beginner, dance newbie (different from beginner-beginner) and
new beginner. I gave up before I could
even get to the next level! That’s where
having a season line dance teacher comes in handy. They tell you what level, steps and music are
involved.

After all that, I still believe that if you want to improve
your fun credentials, you can’t go wrong with including several line dance
programs. You might even want to
organize a line dance party! Speaking of
parties, we’re still hoping to coordinate a state-wide line dance event. What line dance levels does your center
offer? What’s the most popular types of music?
Let us know.

Monday, March 6, 2017

In case you missed the
premier event of the season, it’s available online! No, not the Oscars or even the Razzies, we
just finished the VRPS Awards webinar.
It is archived on the VRPS webinar page, available for immediate viewing, and if you combine it with the upcoming Dog Park webinar can actually count forCEU’s (CEU Session Approval for Workshop Attendance), much more useful than a shiny gold statue!

We have already published
blogs about the awards process, the ways to submit, even the amount of work
that is represented in the number of submissions. That’s not what I want to talk about. What I want to talk about is much more fun,
and much more important for the Awards committee.

I drive a lot through the
state. The Aquatics Resource Group keeps me moving to different trainings,
roundtables and meetings. The best part
about serving on the Awards Committee has been recognizing some of the amazing
places and events that this state has to offer.
I am very proud to work for the Fairfax County Park Authority, and the
renovation at the Watermine Family Swimming Hole is amazing and HUGE, but I
will never drive through Staunton without thinking about "Irish Road Bowling", go
through Henrico county without thinking to myself “it’s pronounced Hen-Rye-Co”,
or see public art without wishing I could get down to Danville to walk the art
trail.

The awards are not just
about the plaque or the picture; it truly is about the excitement, the spirit
and the pride that goes into projects all around the state. I admit I have a soft spot for the small
departments, the rural locations, and the shoestring budgets that bring such
amazing programs and facilities to the people of this state. As we go into another award season, please
make sure you are letting your passion show in your applications, but more
importantly know that we truly are making a difference.

Click here for a link to past winner archives and the 2017 application - recognizing excellence in 2016.

Many thanks to Boomer and Waldo, both of who inspired the Awards Webinar presenters. Which are you? #TEAMDOG or #TEAMCAT ??

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About Us

VRPS is a private, non-profit professional organization, founded in 1953 and incorporated in 1956. Its purpose is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia, into one body. VRPS is an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association.